Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Audrey
GirlEnglish, Old English· “noble strength”
- Meaning
- noble strength
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- AW-dree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #86
- US babies 2025
- 2,919
- Best rank
- #33 (2013)
- Peak year
- 2015
Meaning and origin of Audrey
Audrey is an English and Old English name that means “noble strength”.
Audrey is a medieval short form of Aethelthryth, an Old English name built from aethel, noble, and thryth, strength. Saint Aethelthryth, a seventh-century queen and abbess of Ely, was known in later centuries as Saint Audrey. Cheap lace sold at her fair gave rise to the word tawdry, a shortened form of Saint Audrey's lace. Shakespeare gave the name to a country girl in As You Like It. The actress Audrey Hepburn later lent it lasting elegance, and it has returned as a stylish classic. It needs little shortening, though Aud and Addie are possible.
Other spellings with the same sound: Audry.
Popularity over time
Audrey first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 145 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #33 in 2013, and the most babies received it in 2015, when 5,613 were named Audrey. In 2025, 2,919 babies were named Audrey, and it ranked #86 nationally. That is 48% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #103 in 1920, #158 in 1950, #212 in 1980, #115 in 2000, #52 in 2010, and #86 in 2025. Of the 305,883 US girls named Audrey since records began, 17% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 41,515 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Ariana, Skylar, Arianna, Claire, and Paisley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Audrey ranked highest in New Hampshire, Louisiana, and Vermont.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | #45 | 21 |
| Louisiana | #47 | 62 |
| Vermont | #49 | 8 |
| Oregon | #55 | 47 |
| North Dakota | #59 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Audrey is usually pronounced AW-dree, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-ey”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Audry.
Middle names for Audrey
A few middle names that flow with Audrey: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Audrey
Similar names
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Lists that include Audrey
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Audrey mean?
Audrey is an English and Old English name that means “noble strength”.
What is the origin of the name Audrey?
Audrey has English and Old English roots. Audrey is a medieval short form of Aethelthryth, an Old English name built from aethel, noble, and thryth, strength.
Is Audrey a popular name?
Yes. Audrey ranked #86 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Audrey a boy or girl name?
Audrey is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Audrey?
Audrey is usually pronounced AW-dree. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings